Building record MAB9836 - TOWIE PARISH CHURCH, TOWIE
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Summary
Former parish church dated 1803, no longer in ecclesiastical use, and associated graveyard.
Protected Status/Designation
- Listed Building (B) 15934
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 4397 1294 (74m by 59m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ41SW |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Towie |
Type and Period (7)
- CHURCHYARD (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- CROSS (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- ENCLOSURE (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- MORT SAFE (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- Graveyard (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- CHURCH (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
- GRAVE (12th Century to Modern - 1100 AD to 2050 AD)
Full Description
Former parish church dated 1803, no longer in ecclesiastical use, and associated graveyard. The church likely occupies a much earlier ecclesiastical site. The church is rectangular with harled walls and granite margins, bellcote on the west entrance gable and round-headed windows with original glazing. Original pulpit with sounding board, gallery U-plan on square wooden columns dates to 1803. It underwent renovation and repair works in 1893, which appears to have been largely internal including insertion of a timber floor and addition of a U-shaped gallery and north windows. Further renovation took place in 1908 including removal of the old pews, and installation of a heating system and a new organ. In the mid 20th century part of the gallery was partitioned off to form a meeting room. Five memorial plaques on the south wall date between 1893 and 1920. The graveyard wall is rubble built but partly harled. The gravestones include a medieval grave slab with a calvary cross and chalice, which may be the stone referred to in NJ41SW0032. There is also an iron mortsafe (NJ41SW0021), a few 18th century slabs and a built-up burial enclosure. The graves include that of Major James Leith VC, awarded the Victoria Cross in 1858 during the Indian Mutiny. Also the Commonwealth War Graves of Rev. Alexander Jack, Royal Army Chaplain's Department (died 22 November 1920) and Private J. A. Taylor, Gordon Highlanders (died 14 September 1919).
Period Notes
Built 1803; altered 1894.
Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 03/03/22 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.
Author unknown, 1799, OLD STATISTICAL ACCOUNT, 272 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1845.
HAY, G., 1957, THE ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTTISH POST-REF CHURCHES, 235 (Bibliographic reference). SAB720.
DEBORAH ANDERSON ARCHITECT, 2025, HERITAGE STATEMENT TOWIE CHURCH, TOWIE, ALFORD (Bibliographic reference). SAB4086.
May 23 1986 , FY 13, FY 13 (Ground Photograph). SAB12738.
Author unknown, n.d., ABER ECCLES SOC VIII, VIII, 18 (Bibliographic reference). SAB29.
GRAVE-SLAB
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HAMP Asset: HA0428;
- HAMP Asset: HA5527;
- HES Listed Building Number: 15934;
- Local Government Guardianship;
- NMR Card Number: NJ41SW13;
- NRHE Numlink: 112388;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ41SW0024;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB15934 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/112388 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (6)
- --- SAB12738 Ground Photograph: May 23 1986 . FY 13. Black & White. FY 13.
- --- SAB1416 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. . PRESS & JOURNAL. 03/03/22.
- --- SAB1845 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. 1799. OLD STATISTICAL ACCOUNT. 272.
- --- SAB29 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. n.d.. ABER ECCLES SOC VIII. VIII, 18.
- --- SAB4086 Bibliographic reference: DEBORAH ANDERSON ARCHITECT. 2025. HERITAGE STATEMENT TOWIE CHURCH, TOWIE, ALFORD.
- --- SAB720 Bibliographic reference: HAY, G.. 1957. THE ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTTISH POST-REF CHURCHES. N. N. 235.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Aug 1 2025 12:02PM
